Magazine story about sex addict stirs expat community

Canadian Vadim Scott is questioned by an official after his arrest in Battambang, Cambodia, early this month. / Courtesy of Chiangrai Tim

‘Ex-teacher goes unpunished for having sex with minor’

By John Redmond

An article in popular expat magazine “Groove” by Seoul-based journalist John Power has stirred a heated debate over how crimes can go unpunished, even for foreigners accused of unspeakable acts.

The article, “Former Teacher Accused of Sex with Cambodian Minor Was Arrested in Korea, Friends Say,” deals with how a former native English teacher in Korea facing charges of paying for sex with a 14-year-old boy in Cambodia was previously arrested in Seoul on similar charges, according to sources.

Canadian Vadim Scott was arrested on Jan. 5 in Battambang, northwestern Cambodia.

Well known around the expat music scene and someone who can still be seen on plenty of commercials on Korean TV, he was also arrested in 2007, but was released after the parents of the alleged victim refused to press charges.

The Groove article says, “The law on sex crimes did not allow for prosecution without the complaint of the victim or their family, until it was amended last year.”

When news of Scott’s arrest in Cambodia broke, the response among those in the local Haebangchon and Itaewon communities was one of disbelief.

However, there were also comments to the tune of, “I’d heard rumors, but didn’t take them seriously.”

As with all comments on Facebook and blogs, it’s very easy to create a false identity and spread rumors. However, the comments posted on various threads on Facebook came from reliable sources.

Many seemed to question the fact that the police did not act on this. Others were critical as to the timing and validity of the sources.

“I, myself didn’t have a clue. Hindsight is 20/20. Not much can be done about it now. Yet, addressing how the police and embassy dropped the ball might be something to look into journalistically,” said a musician.

“I chose to not spread the gossip without proof.I would still choose to not destroy a life without proof,” said another.

A woman shared her views about the victims; “In my opinion, the article is controversial due to the fact that it seems to be based on speculation, not on facts and evidence.”

“If he did do anything illegal to any children in Korea, I hope this article or any article about Vadim brings about justice to the victims, if there are any victims. Right now, there seems to be rumors and lies, but the truth will be revealed someday,” added.

She continued, “Whatever his reason or motive was, it was a personal matter. Why and how could he discuss it? The whole topic of sex with minors is taboo. Judgment usually comes before help. Maybe, he got abused when he was young. Maybe he knew he needed help but didn’t know where to go. Or he revealed his problems to the wrong people. I only have speculations too!”

The interesting point made at the bottom of the story is that “Another police officer at Yongsan said it was possible no record of the arrest exists because the police database was changed several years ago.”

That is highly questionable, when police records now go back decades.